Health and safety sinks St Mogue's burial boat

Fianna Fáil's Sean Smith said the “issues” regarding the ferry boat had come to light in recent months.

An “alternative” is being sought, elected representatives were assured, when informed that health and safety rules had sunk the prospect of locals using the existing craft provided to visit family graves on St Mogue's Island.

The island near Bawnboy is used as a burial ground by many from the parishes of Templeport and Corlough in Co Cavan, and Lower Drumreilly in Co. Leitrim. However, a recent “assessment” has flagged concerns with the existing fibreglass craft and as a result it was has been deemed no longer suitable for service.

The matter was raised at yesterday's meeting (Wednesday, May 25) of elected members attached to the Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District area.

Fianna Fáil's Sean Smith said the “issues” had come to light only in recent months.

Senior Engineer Paul Mulligan said he was aware of anxiety regarding health and safety, but the council had been “working on this for a while”.

He informed the meeting that boats needed to be assessed and formally “certified” for public use, but the vessel being used to convey remains to St Mogue's Island no longer met regulation standard.

“Some issues have been identified,” said Mr Mulligan of the boat which is now “nearly 30 years old”. Compared to newer types it sat “very low” in the water, and while he assured the council were working to remedy the situation long-term, for this summer at least he hoped an “alternative” craft could be sourced.

See next week's newspaper for full report.